Unleash Your Creative Potential: £35 Million Fund for UK's Creative Industries

Here at Carse & Waterman, we're all about celebrating creativity, pushing boundaries, and venturing into the limitless realm of possibilities. That's why we're eager to introduce you to an exciting opportunity that's making waves in the UK's creative landscape – the Creative Growth Finance II (CGF II) fund by Creative UK.

In collaboration with Triodos Bank, Creative UK has launched the CGF II fund with an audacious goal – to supercharge the UK's creative sector. Armed with a substantial £35 million, this initiative is poised to fuel the growth of our dynamic creative landscape. It's all part of a grand vision outlined by the UK Government and Creative Industries Council in their Sector Vision.

The objective is as inspiring as it gets – to boost the UK creative industry by a staggering £50 billion and create a million new jobs by 2030. While these numbers might seem ambitious, we wholeheartedly believe in the potential of the UK's creative sector. The CGF II fund represents a significant stride towards achieving this bold target.

Building on the success of its predecessor launched in 2019, the first Creative Growth Finance fund, CGF II has promising footsteps to follow. The initial fund injected over £17 million into the veins of over 30 creative companies.

The outcomes have been remarkable. Companies backed by the original fund have witnessed a remarkable average increase of 108% in their monthly revenues, leading to a 39% growth in headcount and the creation of over 225 new jobs. Additionally, these ventures raised nearly £19 million in additional funding.

While we celebrate this progress, we acknowledge that the road to creating a million jobs might not be as straightforward, and it's essential to manage expectations.

Caroline Norbury OBE, CEO of Creative UK, has underscored the incredible potential of the UK's creative sector. Over the past decade, creative industries have outpaced the broader economy's growth rate, contributing an impressive £108 billion to the economy and employing 2.3 million people.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recognizes the significance of the creative industry in shaping the nation's economic landscape. He rightly stated that "growing the economy means growing the creative industries." However, we can't help but emphasize the need for a more robust recognition of creativity within the UK's educational system and society as a whole. It should stand as an equal partner alongside mainstream academia.

The UK government is acutely aware of the "enormous potential" of nurturing the creative industries for economic growth. CGF II offers creatives like you the opportunity to secure the essential capital needed to elevate your projects to new heights.

If you're a creative individual or company, poised to make a difference, we encourage you to explore the possibilities presented by the Creative Growth Finance II fund. It's your chance to breathe life into your creative aspirations, leave an indelible mark on the creative landscape, and play a pivotal role in the UK's economic growth story.

For more information and to check your eligibility for the Creative Growth Finance II fund, visit the Creative UK website here. If you've never applied for funding and are uncertain about the process, don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to share our experiences and offer guidance.

Let's unlock the full potential of the UK's creative industries together.

Warm regards,

Daniel Waterman